hero of valour
Well-Known Member
...i'll soon be hitting a 27 mile round trip to work and wondered what clobber i'll need and where I should look for it....??? any suggestions?...
Winter essentials for long commute...
- Thread starter hero of valour
- Start date
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jefmcg
Guru
Lights, front and rear, at least 2 of each - it's horrifying to realise that you've just ridden 13 miles in driving rain, and your rear light has failed.
Layers of thin merino. Keeps you warm even in the rain, and can adjust easily by adding or removing layers.
Gloves: at least 2 different weights for warmer and colder days.
A buff.
Jacket - I'm happy enough after several mis-purchases with my NightVision jacket, but I bet there are better choices.
(just a start)
Layers of thin merino. Keeps you warm even in the rain, and can adjust easily by adding or removing layers.
Gloves: at least 2 different weights for warmer and colder days.
A buff.
Jacket - I'm happy enough after several mis-purchases with my NightVision jacket, but I bet there are better choices.
(just a start)
OP
OP
hero of valour
Well-Known Member
ok well this year ive got married and spent a fortune, discovered were expecting a baby in january and in the midst of moving house....so i dont think i can get away with spending in excess of £100s of cycling clobber....i need suggestions on a budget!...but thank you for the advice...i have two lights front and back, two pairs of gloves....its just the clothes i need help with....do people wear those face scarfs things??? any good?
Spend as much as you can on a jacket, wind proof in my opinion takes preference to water proof and merino is best. For me a pair of ronhill trousers does the job in any weathers as it can soon dry at work if need be. Overshoes are good but at the end of the day if it is p*ssing down with rain you are going to get wet. Skin is waterproof.
Lycra trousers - they don't absorb much rain water and they are comfortable to wear even when wet.
Fleece hat for those frosty mornings.
Others have mentioned a jacket; get a cycling-specific one as it comes lower down at the rear so that your lower back is not exposed to the cold whilst riding, as well as having underarm vents to help with heat regulation.
Some waterproof and warm gloves.
A wicking base layer e.g. a polyester t-shirt. You don't want sweat-soaked clothes next to your skin.
Waterproof socks, so you don't notice your feet getting wet.
When you come to do this ride I would suggest taking a full change of clothes with you, including shoes. Your commute is long enough that if it is raining all the way you WILL get wet no matter what you are wearing, and shoes are impossible to keep dry for more than about 20 minutes in anything more than light rain. The key thing is to wear clothes on the bike that are comfortable even when wet, that way you don't notice yourself getting wet.
Fleece hat for those frosty mornings.
Others have mentioned a jacket; get a cycling-specific one as it comes lower down at the rear so that your lower back is not exposed to the cold whilst riding, as well as having underarm vents to help with heat regulation.
Some waterproof and warm gloves.
A wicking base layer e.g. a polyester t-shirt. You don't want sweat-soaked clothes next to your skin.
Waterproof socks, so you don't notice your feet getting wet.
When you come to do this ride I would suggest taking a full change of clothes with you, including shoes. Your commute is long enough that if it is raining all the way you WILL get wet no matter what you are wearing, and shoes are impossible to keep dry for more than about 20 minutes in anything more than light rain. The key thing is to wear clothes on the bike that are comfortable even when wet, that way you don't notice yourself getting wet.
+1 on the above.
I have had an Altura night vision jacket for 3 years now.Its brilliant.Never let me down in the worst of weathers.Just bought another for when it gets knackered.
I dont wear waterproof pants though,i find you just get soaked with sweat.Lycra tights dry quickly and i have a warm radiator to dry stuff on
.Altura winter cruisers for very cold mornings.
I have had an Altura night vision jacket for 3 years now.Its brilliant.Never let me down in the worst of weathers.Just bought another for when it gets knackered.
I dont wear waterproof pants though,i find you just get soaked with sweat.Lycra tights dry quickly and i have a warm radiator to dry stuff on
.Altura winter cruisers for very cold mornings.
BalkanExpress
Legendary Member
- Location
- Brussels
Merino is great but is pricey. Have a look in your local TK Maxx, I've picked up some cheap items that no one wants, no one's going to see the fuscia roll neck under your jacket are they
Charity shops are also worth a rummage .
Aldi have some merino synthetic mix stuff coming to shops in a week or so. Somewhere here there is a thread.
Charity shops are also worth a rummage .
Aldi have some merino synthetic mix stuff coming to shops in a week or so. Somewhere here there is a thread.
potsy
Rambler
- Location
- My Armchair
Hands, feet and ears are my 3 main areas I like to keep warm.
Not 100% sorted the hands yet, though merino glove liners under a pair of Aldi winter gloves are almost there.
Bought some Goretex winter boots last year which I really like, these with some thermal socks on keep my feet toasty in all but the coldest of weather.
Ears are covered by a skullcap under my helmet in winter, with a buff (cc) around the neck
Not 100% sorted the hands yet, though merino glove liners under a pair of Aldi winter gloves are almost there.
Bought some Goretex winter boots last year which I really like, these with some thermal socks on keep my feet toasty in all but the coldest of weather.
Ears are covered by a skullcap under my helmet in winter, with a buff (cc) around the neck
Crankarm
Guru
- Location
- Nr Cambridge
Head - fleece hat
Eyes - sunglasses and clear lenses for overcast days.
Several spare tubes just in case.
Studded tyres if it snows.
Eyes - sunglasses and clear lenses for overcast days.
Several spare tubes just in case.
Studded tyres if it snows.
